In the U.S. men's soccer team history, no player had a better start. In late 2004 and early 2005, forward Eddie Johnson became the first player to score in his first four appearances for the national team, three during World Cup qualifying. Seven years later, much has changed.

The future is still uncertain for Johnson, but as the U.S. enters its last game of the semifinal round of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, this much is clear: The Americans can breathe easier Tuesday night against Guatemala in Kansas City thanks to Johnson. A victory or a tie will put the U.S. through to the final round of qualifying next year. The U.S. could even advance with a loss based on the result of Jamaica's match against Antigua and Barbuda.

"We want to win this game," U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann said Monday. "You can only win a game if you attack and go forward. We are not looking for a tie."

Until Friday, the last time Johnson played for the U.S. team was 2010, just after being cut from the World Cup roster. For two years, Johnson disappeared from the national team scene. The only Johnson listed in the team's media guide this year is defender Fabian Johnson.

On Friday in a critical World Cup qualifier against Antigua and Barbuda, Johnson rebooted a national team career that had seemingly faded. He scored twice, including the game-winner in the 90th minute, in the 2-1 victory.

"I had a lot of early success on the national team and as athletes you go through that slump or fall out of favor," Johnson, 28, said after the game. "It was good to get the call up, but working with (Klinsmann) for the first time there was a lot of nerves running through my body and not knowing what to expect."

As the U.S. continues its quest to qualify for its seventh consecutive World Cup, Johnson still has much to prove before becoming a regular at camp. After four difficult years in Europe and a failed stint with a Mexican club, Johnson revived his career this season with his return to Major League Soccer.

Under Sigi Schmid in Seattle, Johnson leads the Sounders with 14 goals, a franchise season record.

"I spoke many times over the last couple months with Sigi and I think Sigi has done a tremendous job with him," Klinsmann said last week after naming Johnson to his roster. (Johnson's inclusion came at the expense of Jozy Altidore, who was left off the roster because of recent lackluster national team performances.)

"I think Eddie is back into that position because he worked very hard for it. Watch his games and you see his drive and hunger that he has, the way he chases defenders, the way he creates chances for himself and his striking partners and the way he also finishes things off," Klinsmann said. "He's not a newcomer. He's been a part of the program over the last 10 years or so.He had difficult times. He struggled in Europe and Sigi found a way to get him back on track. That's exciting to see."